Comments on: Venezuela: On Subterranean Transportation

By: Nezua Limón Quintolajala-Jonez

Nezua Limón Quintolajala-Jonez — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 05:00:23 +0000

well, i would never try to compare….because i just don’t know your end of it! but i was a great lover of the subways in new york. and sometimes i miss her in the same way. well, almost. i mean, don’t be gross.

By: oso

oso — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 23:02:56 +0000

Nezua Limón Quintolajala-Jonez,

I clearly need to spend more time in NYC and on more subway lines. I didn’t know it could get like that … and I still have my doubts that it can get as violently crowded as here in Caracas, but I promise to do some more metro research.

Alma,

Gracias!

By: Alma

Alma — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 19:10:58 +0000

Que fotos mas chingonas! Ya hace mucho no me subo al metor. La ultima vez fue en NYC.

By: Nezua Limón Quintolajala-Jonez

Nezua Limón Quintolajala-Jonez — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 03:59:20 +0000

Actually, I was speaking of New York City. If you travel during rush hours (am or pm), on certain lines, you do have to get used to being crammed from every side, nose to armpit, mired in an unmoving wall of hot air and odor. It’s definitely the closest I’ve ever gotten to people apart from live music venues.

By: oso

oso — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 20:54:14 +0000

I didn’t intend for the tone of the post to come off as “romantic.” More like eeriness. Eeriness that a species that does itself so much harm above-ground can survive such intense proximity below-ground.

Nathan,

Yes, I agree, from photos and faces, all metros look alike. But each city’s subway has its own peculiar customs and ethics and mores. (Which is why Xolo’s class would be so interesting) Americans are steadfast in their requirement of personal space and would never allow four bodies to be pushed against them an entire subway ride. For Venezuelans, it appears to be just part of going to work. I could write pages about the unique behavioral code of Tokyo’s metro. And, in fact, that was one of my never-to-take-form ideas: an artsy fartsy coffee table book with photographs and meditations on all the world’s major metro lines. Someone should do it.

By: Julissa

Julissa — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 15:10:09 +0000

Very romantic indeed and very well written. Like Irasali and Cindylu I dislike being cramped in tight areas with complete strangers. But I guess from your posting we learn that we’re all in the same boat or should I say subway?

By: irasali

irasali — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 01:48:35 +0000

nice post oso. its beautifully written, and very romantic but i doubt i can every feel this way about public transportation. or being compressed in any space with strangers.

By: cindylu

cindylu — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 18:13:39 +0000

You make it sound so romantic. I hate being that close to any group of strangers, it makes me feel like I’m gonna be violated rather than share an amorous evening.

By: xoloitzquintle

xoloitzquintle — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 17:06:36 +0000

I stand corrected. Thanks Chris.

However, there are still signs up in the subway stations and cars saying that photography is not permitted. And I don’t want my students to get in a civil rights fight just to fulfill a requirement for my class.

By: ChrisN

ChrisN — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 17:37:43 +0000

A long run seems to be the only thing to come close to the level of epic daydream I would achieve on the train commute. I miss that daily meditation.